Part Two: The Date

It was almost a month later.

Preparations for the Ship's Concert were almost complete, despite the brief interruption after a skirmish with some unfriendly aliens, after which all hands had been drafted to take part in repair work. (Janeway had conceded that Sally could possibly be trained to be useful; she had proven herself, surprisingly, to be adept at sealing hull plates in zero gravity and pressure.) The captain had looked in on rehearsals occasionally; the band and lineup of performers looked surprisingly good.

Seven, especially, had looked gorgeous; when Janeway had last seen her in Cargo Bay Two (hastily cleared out for the use of the performers), Sally and the Doctor had been fussing over her as she stood on a pedestal, arguing about her dress. Sally had seemed to be winning; Janeway thought Seven already looked heart-stopping, in the moments before she had been spotted by Kingston and shooed out of the cargo bay.

She had to admit, she was looking forward to the performance.

"From the top!" Sally instructed, fingering the first chord on her recently-replicated electric guitar. "And this time, like you mean it." Sally had chosen Seven's song for her.

"I don't understand," Seven told her. Sally sighed, and put the guitar aside on her bed, standing up.

"It's like this, Seven. You're singing this for effect as much as anything else; it's not just reproducing the music, it's reproducing the intent. You want to make your audience feel it." She thought. "Seven, have you ever been romantically involved with someone?"

"No. I went on a date once, but it was unsuccessful." Briefly, and reluctantly, Seven recounted the story of her disastrous sole date with Lieutenant Chapman, and observed that Sally seemed sympathetic.

"Bad date, hon. We want this to work out better, but you don't really understand the feelings I'm talking about." She thought. "What do you feel when you look at the captain?"

"I do not have words for it," Seven confessed.

"Okay..." Sally rubbed the back of her neck. "This is going to be an odd question. Seven, do you find me attractive? Note that this question does not mean the same thing as 'Are you in love with me' or 'Do you wish a relationship with me'."

Seven considered this. "Yes, I do."

Sally grinned. "I'm glad you said that, for my ego's sake. All right." She reached out and took Seven's hands, grasping them gently. "Seven, would you do me the honour of accompanying me tonight - on a date?"

Seven thought about it. She wasn't entirely sure why Sally wanted to do this, but... in truth, it seemed as if it might be enjoyable. And she was curious to find out what Sally was planning. "Yes," she answered.

Sally's face lit up. "Excellent. I'll pick you up at your alcove at, uh, 1900 hours."

"Very well."

"Then I have plans to make. Till then." Sally squeezed her hands briefly, then dashed out of her quarters. Bemused, Seven put Sally's guitar back in its case and left, headed for Sickbay and more social advice.

"You... have a date, you say?" The Doctor seemed a little taken aback. His body language somehow suggested he should have gone pale, were it not that he wasn't really programmed to.

"Yes," Seven confirmed.

"Might one inquire with whom?" the Doctor asked weakly.

"Sally Kingston."

"Oh." The Doctor pulled himself together. "Well, what do you need from me?"

"Advice. Clothing to wear. Much as you assisted me before my previous date." Seven would have thought it was obvious.

"Oh. Well. A dress, I suppose?"

"That would be acceptable." Seven watched over his shoulder as the Doctor called up dress images on his console, flicking through them fairly rapidly. "Stop," she interjected. "That one?"

The Doctor examined the outfit Seven had suggested. "If you like. Let's get it fitted. Then we can decide what to do with your hair."

Janeway shut down the console in her ready room, her shift long finished. "Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay Two."

On her way to the turbolift she nodded at Chakotay, leaving the conn in his hands, and then made her way to Cargo Bay Two. The door slid open to show Seven of Nine dressed in a long crimson sheath, brushing out her hair.

Her mouth went dry.

"Captain," Seven of Nine greeted her. "Do you require my assistance?"

"Uh." She swallowed hard. "I was going to ask if you wanted to play Velocity."

"I am unavailable this evening. I have a date."

Janeway felt as if her stomach had just dropped through the deck plates. "A... date? With whom?"

"Doctor Kingston." Seven finished brushing and shook her head slightly. Soft golden tresses loosely framed her face, brushing her bare shoulders. She looked stunning.

"You look beautiful," Janeway whispered. "Uh. Have a good time."

She fled.

Seven stared quizzically for a moment at the doors that had just closed behind her. The captain seemed to have reacted quite strongly; Sally's thesis must be sound, but the captain would obviously have to be made aware at a later date that Seven and Sally did not share a true romantic attachment.

A short time later, at precisely 1900 hours, the door opened again. Seven found herself feeling oddly disappointed that the captain had not returned; it was Sally, arrived to "pick her up".

Sally stepped just far enough inside the cargo bay for the door to close behind her, and stopped, smiling warmly.

"You look breathtaking, Seven," she complimented her friend.

"Thank you," Seven answered gravely. "You look... beautiful, as well."

Sally blushed slightly, pleased more by the appreciative look in Seven's eyes than the words themselves. She had decided to wear black pants and a corset of a rich bottle green pseudo-velvet, a neat black suede fitted jacket over the corset to render her reasonably fit for public viewing. The restaurant she'd selected was a public programme.

"Shall we?" she suggested, offering Seven her arm.

"We shall."

The restaurant was about half full when they entered, populated by a mixture of holograms and Voyager crewmembers. Silence swept across the large room when the two women entered, then conversation resumed slightly louder than before. Sally shot seven a tiny grin and escorted her to their table behind the holographic maitre d'hotel.

"I wasn't sure what you liked to eat," Sally told Seven in a low voice. "So I cooked something I hoped you'd enjoy and arranged to have it served."

"You cooked?" Seven was startled. "You know how?"

"No replicators where I come from," Sally reminded her gently, as they were served with the entrée, a simple, light green salad. Seven was relieved it was something easier to eat than lobster, though the mechanical function of eating solid food was still not one she was used to.

As they ate, Sally kept up a light, pleasant banter, not touching too deeply on any particular topic, but keeping the conversation engaged. Seven was intrigued; over the past few weeks she and Sally had conversed at great length, and this was unlike any of their previous discussions. She realised that must have been Sally's intention in arranging this date - to show her something of what human romance was really like. She made a note to analyse the evening later, particularly how Sally managed to keep her feeling persistently slightly flattered, without being particularly overtly complimentary.

The main course was steak in a sauce Sally revealed was her own secret recipe, accompanied by savoury vegetable dishes. To drink, Sally had arranged a tongue-tingling non-alcoholic fruit juice cocktail. Seven remembered they had discussed her own weakness as regarded synthehol, and was touched by this thoughtfulness.

By the time they reached the sorbet, Seven was coming to understand exactly what it meant to be courted. Possibly, she allowed, reflecting on her body's heightened awareness of Sally's presence, even seduced. Sally had barely touched her throughout the evening, unusually enough, and even then only with the lightest of touches to her hands or perhaps her arms, but Seven found her skin tingling in her wake.

They talked a little longer after they finished eating, and then Sally rose gracefully from the table and extended one hand towards Seven. "Shall we dance?" she suggested. Seven smiled, took her hand, and rose to join her on the already quite crowded dance floor. The restaurant had filled progressively as they ate.

This was different from dancing with Lieutenant Chapman or the Doctor. For one thing, Sally danced differently. Rather than a formal position, she slid her arms around Seven's waist. She was also dressed very differently. She'd left her jacket on the back of the chair, and Seven found herself intensely aware of the expanse of skin exposed to her gaze, and under her hands. Sally's top left her shoulders, most of her back, and her upper chest bare, the smooth, tanned skin tugging at Seven's curiosity. She wondered what it would be like to touch her.

Sally watched Seven's face, smiled to herself as she saw the look of unmasked desire in Seven's charmingly unshielded eyes. She was enjoying the feel of Seven's long, lithe body in her arms as they danced, but wondered if perhaps it was time to move on to the next stage of the evening she'd planned.

Accordingly, she angled her head up slightly to place her lips by Seven's ear. "Let's go," she suggested quietly, and held Seven's hand as she retrieved her jacket and they left the holodeck, aware of the eyes that followed them out. It was Seven's Borg-altered hand, and felt strange, with bands of metal down the backs of her fingers, encasing her fingertips, and another band across her palm. Not quite alien, but definitely not human. Uniquely Seven.

"Would you like me to take you home now?" she asked her date. "Or we could go back to my quarters for a nightcap."

"Your quarters," Seven decided. Sally smiled.

"Okay."

They strolled their way there, discussing the meal and the music that had played. Upon reaching Sally's quarters, she offered hot chocolate. Seven declined, and Sally crossed back from the replicator to take Seven's hands again, smiling. "Then what would you like?" she asked softly.

"I'm... not sure," Seven told her hesitantly. "I would like... I want..."

"Shhh. Take a deep breath," Sally urged her, raising one hand to stroke her cheek gently. Her thumb lingered on the starburst implant on Seven's cheek. "It's okay, Seven, no matter what." She paused. "I know you're feeling things you're not used to right now. That's okay, too. I'm still your friend. You can trust me." Sally wrapped her arms around Seven's waist and squeezed lightly in a gentle hug. "Would you like me to kiss you?"

"Yes," Seven admitted. Sally smiled.

"Close your eyes."

Seven obeyed, heart pounding. She wasn't sure if she was aroused, intrigued, or terrified - or possibly all three. She tensed momentarily as she felt the first brush of Sally's lips across hers, feather-light, delicate. She sensed Sally's hesitation, and moved her head slightly to close the gap between them herself this time. The warm, dry kiss gave way to one more thorough, gradually and gently leading to a deeper exploration. Seven found herself absorbed in the kiss, in the taste and texture of Sally's mouth and the way her lips and tongue moved against Seven's own. She felt clumsy at first, but gradually Sally demonstrated what to do and how. Seven began experimenting, startled, but pleased, when she coaxed a soft, incoherent sound from Sally, murmured into her lips. They parted. Seven noted that both Sally's and her own respiration had increased.

Sally smiled. "You're good at that," she observed.

Seven felt herself smiling back. "I am a quick learner," she answered drily, then paused. "I would like to continue this activity."

"As would I," Sally answered warmly. "Would you like to join me on the couch?"

Seated and snugly arranged together, they kissed again. A little later, Seven was startled as Sally pulled away from her slightly, then more so as Sally began kissing her neck. The sensations were surprisingly pleasurable. Seven began experimenting again, discovering how she could elicit a response from Sally, observing all the different ways that response was expressed. It was remarkable, as remarkable as the reaction she could feel in herself to what Sally was doing. Her entire body felt alive in a way she had never experienced before. She shifted slightly lower, nuzzling at Sally's cleavage.

"Oh, oh, Seven, hold on a second." Sally managed to get out. She seemed highly flustered. "But before you think it, no, you didn't do anything wrong at all. You're doing everything right. That's why we have to stop for a moment."

"Very well," Seven said warily, a trifle put out. She'd been enjoying herself.

"I have to ask you something." Sally ran a trembling hand through her hair. "Imagine, just for a moment, that you were doing this with Captain Janeway instead of me." She paused to allow Seven to do this, watching her intently, struggling to get a rein on her rampaging hormones. Gods, what had she been thinking to let this go this far? Seven's face told her the answer to her question, but she asked it anyway. "Would you rather that? That it was her?"

"I... yes," Seven admitted, her voice a whisper. Sally forced a smile, despite the fact that she was really, on some level, disappointed, despite having expected this.

"Right." Sally took a deep breath. "So it isn't right, really, for me to be here. It's certainly not right for us to go any further than this. It's one of those things. So we have to stop. And you have to remember all this, how it feels, so you can use it when you sing. Okay?"

Seven nodded slowly. "I understand."

Sally rose, and extended a hand. "It's late. I'll walk you to your alcove." She smiled warmly as Seven rose. "You realise this changes nothing about our friendship, right?"

"I am relieved."

Sally chuckled and slipped a companionable arm around Seven's waist, squeezing affectionately. "A good friendship is too important to waste, Seven. Remember that."

They walked together to Seven's alcove in the cargo bay. Sally stood by as she stepped onto the dais, then, on impulse, followed her.

"There is, of course, a tradition that follows a successful date," she informed Seven seriously. "It's called the 'goodnight kiss'."

Seven's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Our date was successful," she allowed. "One more kiss would not be harmful, and would allow us to keep with tradition."

"Exactly," Sally replied, mock-seriously. They moved together for a last, thorough kiss, before Sally stepped back. "Goodnight, Seven. Sweet dreams."

She watched Seven regenerate for a few moments before she turned and left the cargo bay, headed for her own quarters and extreme hormonal frustration.

"Damn it." Sally sat up, scowling, kicked off the covers and scrambled out of bed. Snarling, she stomped out of her quarters and through the corridors towards the holodecks. One was empty, and unbooked; she quickly called up the setting she wanted, and stepped inside.

Not too bad, but she ordered some adjustments to the setting and the population. "Computer, I want music."

"Specify."

"Late twentieth century, early twenty-first, genre called electronica or techno. Subgenre hardhouse." The computer trilled as it came up with a selection, and the heavy bass beat began thumping through the room. Sally frowned. "Increase volume." It got louder. "Increase volume. Increase volume... Ah. Good." She couldn't actually hear the words as they left her lips for the pounding music. "Perfect."

"Damn it." Janeway sat up, scowling, kicked off the covers and scrambled out of bed. She had to know. "Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay Two."

"Locate Sally Kingston."

"Doctor Sally Kingston is in Holodeck One."

Janeway blinked. "Is Holodeck One running a public or private program?"

"Public."

Janeway hesitated, wondering if she really should be doing what she was about to do. But then she decided that yes, she should; she had a duty of care for Seven. If Sally Kingston was going to set her sights on the young Borg, Janeway should talk to her before things got out of hand.

Holodeck doors were soundproof. The holodecks were carefully cushioned within the walls that contained them so that not even the vibrations of the ship's engines were transmitted inside.

Janeway realised just how soundproof they were when the door slid open and a wall of sound crashed over her, obliterating all rational thought in the relentless douff douff douff of the beat.

The holodeck was crowded, holograms pressed together in a seething mass of human beings, all moving wildly to the noise. Janeway hesitated about entering, not sure that she was willing to brave the crush, or sure she could find Kingston in there. Instead, she accessed the controls from the panel by the door and decreased both sound volume and crowd density. She was then able to enter without being deafened, and to find Sally among the dancers.

"Captain!" Sally shouted over the still-loud music. "Computer, freeze program!" Janeway's ears rang in the sudden silence as Sally pulled away from the suddenly-frozen hologram she'd been dancing with, wiping sweat from her face. "What's up?"

Janeway cleared her throat. "Well, Doctor Kingston... Sally." She was surprised to find herself turning slightly red. "It's about Seven."

The anthropologist's brow creased in a frown. "Has something happened to her?"

Janeway raised an eyebrow. "I, uh, well. That's what I wanted to ask you." She cleared her throat again. "Seven is, despite her physical maturity, emotionally not much more than a child," she began. Kingston made a soft sound, but whether of disagreement or acknowledgement, Janeway wasn't sure. "I gather you have... that is, you and she have... started dating, and I wanted to make sure..." She was blowing this. She was supposed to be a starship captain - what the hell was she doing fumbling this conversation?

"That I'm not taking advantage of Seven," Kingston said, deadpan. "Right?"

"Ah... right."

Kingston's teeth flashed whitely in a momentary grin. "First of all, captain, and with all due respect... funny how that isn't a very respectful phrase, isn't it? As I was saying, with all due respect, you're kidding yourself. Seven is a woman, mature, strong-willed, and emotionally complex. Inexperienced about some things, I'll accept, but she's no child." Janeway opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off. "Quiet. I'm talking," Sally said crisply, frowning. Janeway was startled to hear a creditable snap of command in her voice. "Listen, for once."

Janeway flushed angrily, but was silent.

"Now. Seven is emotionally mature. She isn't like you, or like me - she's like herself, a Borg individual with her own moods, feelings, biases, and affections. She and I have become very good friends, and you're *seriously* kidding yourself if you think she's incapable of judging her own feelings and making her own decisions about her relationships. I couldn't take advantage of her if I wanted to. Which, by the way, I don't. Any relationship she and I share - including friendship - is something Seven has decided she wants."

"I see," Janeway told her coldly.

"I'm not finished yet." Sally met her 'Look' with one of her own, steel in the even gaze. "How I feel about Seven is my business. How Seven feels about me is hers. I'm not responsible for her feelings, and she's not responsible for mine. You're not responsible for her feelings either, captain; the only reason you think she's a child is because you're treating her like one. You've seen enough of her to know she isn't one, so the question is, why are you doing that? I'll tell you why," she continued, before Janeway could reply, stepping towards her and circling her like a stalking predator. "Because if you accept that Seven is an adult, then you're forced to accept that maternal feelings towards her are ridiculously misplaced. And because you aren't a fool, captain, despite current indications, you would then be forced to admit that you don't really feel motherly towards her at all."

Kingston was standing in front of her now, closer than Janeway would have liked her to be. She hated that the younger woman had a height advantage over her, too.

"Seven and I are not romantically involved, captain," Sally said softly. "It's not me she wants." With that, she stepped past Janeway towards the holodeck doors, but paused in the doorway before leaving. "Captain? Why did the chicken cross the Moebius strip?"

Janeway blinked. "Why?" she answered automatically.

"To get to the other... oh, never mind." Sally grinned, winked, and turned down the corridor, out of sight.

The cool air of Voyager's corridors, air-conditioned by default really, was startling, and refreshing, after the nightclub. Sally jogged to her quarters and stripped out of the sweat-dampened shirt and jeans (too warm an outfit, really, for dancing) and showered, using the water setting; she still didn't find sonic showers even remotely satisfying. Clean, hair damp, and tired but still wired, she dressed in her pyjamas and fetched her guitar. She liked her new guitar. It sounded like the electric guitars she was familiar with, but didn't need an amplifier, so was much more convenient. It was also a sleek matte black with mirror-bright chrome highlights. It looked good.

Her fingers plucked out a wailing riff as she thought about the conversation with Janeway, wondering if the captain would get a clue or go straight back into denial, and why she wasn't really happy about either possibility. Sighing, Sally slapped her hand flat across the strings to silence the guitar. It occurred to her to wonder if pissing off the captain was really such a good idea, since she might well be stuck on Voyager for the rest of her life, an intimidating thought in itself.

The seeds had been sown. But she still couldn't sleep. Sally put the guitar down on the bed next to her and let herself fall back to lie flat, closing her eyes and turning her attention inward. Her breathing slowed, evened, deepened, and her body became very still.

Then her eyes shot open and she stared at the ceiling, anguished. "Oh, hell," she said aloud. "What did I just do?"

When Seven emerged from regeneration the next morning, she was startled to see the captain standing in front of her, looking agitated. "Captain," she greeted her.

"Seven." Janeway hesitated. "I, uh..." She flushed. "Would you like to play Velocity after your shift today?"

"I would enjoy that." There was a long pause. "Is there anything else?" Seven prompted.

"Uh... No." Janeway turned and walked away rather quickly. "See you at the briefing," she tossed over her shoulder, just before the doors slid closed behind her.

Seven pondered this for a moment, but couldn't interpret the captain's definitely uncharacteristic behaviour. She decided to ask Sally about it, and headed for her friend's quarters to see her.

Sally didn't answer until the third chime, when Seven was about to check her location with the ship's computer. "Uh... yeah?" said her voice, from the speaker by the door. "I mean, come in."

Seven stepped inside to find Sally standing in the doorway of the bedroom, leaning against the frame looking sleepy and tousled, wearing rumpled shorts and a loose, sleeveless satin shirt. Seven blinked and was surprised by her body's reaction to the sight; she felt an irrational surge of attraction. As Seven paused to regather her thoughts, Sally rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. "Morning, Seven. What's up?" She yawned as she went to the replicator. "Coffee, black. You want anything?"

Seven hesitated. "I would enjoy the beverage we had last night."

"The punch? Sure thing." Sally turned back to the replicator. "A glass of Kingston fruit punch." She shot Seven a grin. "I like it, too. I programmed it into the computer, with a slight randomiser on some of the proportions so it almost tastes like I made it myself. Here." She passed Seven the glass and settled onto the couch with her coffee, patting the cushion next to her. "What's on your mind?"

Seven took the seat next to Sally and sipped her punch. The cool, tart flavour seemed to clear her unsettled thoughts. "Captain Janeway came to see me this morning. She invited me to play Velocity with her after my shift, but her behaviour was somewhat unusual. I had hoped you would be able to explain it to me."

To her surprise, Sally chuckled, the sound deep and husky from recent sleep. "Nothing like a challenge to start the day, I guess. Tell me what happened."

Sally sipped her coffee as Seven related the encounter in detail. When Seven had finished speaking, she remained silent for a moment. "Seven, you have to realise that I don't know the captain at all well, right? So I can only tell you what I would deduce the reasons for her behaviour to be, based on what it seems likely a human means by that kind of thing."

"Understood."

"Okay." Sally yawned again. "Sounds to me like the captain has something on her mind; some emotional issue which almost certainly relates to you. What that may be it's not my place to suggest. It's possible she's going to broach the subject this evening when you see her. It's also possible she may not, and it may not be anything to do with you at all." She gave Seven a sleepy smile. "How about you come back here for dinner after your match? You can tell me what happens then, and we can discuss it. And we also need to rehearse for the concert."

"Very well." Seven started to stand up.

"Oh, hey, since you're here, why don't you stay for breakfast?" Sally suggested. "I was going to make waffles." She offered Seven an irresistably appealing smile; overtly pleasantly inviting, but the sleepy look that lingered in her face made it seem almost sensual. Seven swallowed.

"I have time before my shift begins," she allowed, settling back onto the couch.

"Great." Sally grinned and got up to return to the replicator. "Do you want whipped cream on them?" she asked over her shoulder.

"I have never tasted whipped cream. You decide."

Sally shot her a grin. "Whipped cream it is, then." She took the food from the replicator and sat beside Seven, balancing the tray across both their laps. Seven surveyed it, stymied by the heaped fresh fruit and white foam.

"Where does one begin?" she wondered aloud. Sally smiled.

"Like this." She took a fork and speared a piece of strawberry, scooped a little cream onto it, and held it just in front of Seven's lips. Warily, Seven took it with her teeth and chewed it, the light dusting of sugar Sally had ordered sweet on her tongue. "What do you think?" Sally asked.

"I like it," Seven decided.

"I'm glad," Sally answered, offering her another piece. Seven took it, and picked up her own fork, realising that this manner of feeding was in itself half a game, and curious to play. Sally's smile gained warmth at the act, and Seven found herself delighted by it. Most of the plate of waffles and fruit was demolished in short order.

"You have cream on your lip," Sally observed, a little while later. Seven made to wipe it away, but Sally intercepted her hand. "Let me." She leaned closer, and hesitated a moment before running her tongue delicately across Seven's upper lip. Then she smiled. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

"I do not object," Seven answered. "I am learning a great deal about human interaction from you."

Sally laughed softly. "That's hardly customary human interaction. It's not even customary Sally interaction."

"I am aware of that." Seven closed the distance between them again, this time for a slow and thorough kiss.

"Mmm." Sally's eyes fluttered open. "Oh, my. Um. Seven, you do remember us talking about how this kind of thing is only really appropriate if you're really really sure you want to do it with the person you're doing it with, right?"

"I am sure." Seven kissed her again, pleased at the way Sally reacted, shifting posture to press slightly closer, despite her protestations.

"But... What about the captain?" Sally asked weakly.

"She is not here. You are. I am enjoying this; it is not the captain I desire right now."

"Oh." Sally seemed to consider for a moment. "Well. I'm sure you know yourself best."

"Indeed." Seven kissed her again, removing the tray from their laps with one hand and placing it carefully on the floor by the couch.

Sally gave way without protest as Seven gently pressed her backwards, too absorbed in the overwhelming power of Seven's kiss. Sweet stars above, how did Seven work out how to kiss like this? She knew she surely hadn't taught it to her. She fought to catch her breath as Seven broke off for a moment. "This is awkward. Inefficient," she heard her mutter, and then Seven's hands were on her waist and she was being lifted bodily. Seven settled them comfortably, lying together along the length of the couch, and resumed kissing her with breathtaking intensity. Sally had just enough detachment left to hope that Seven would know when she wanted to stop, because she didn't think she was competent to do so any more.

Then, so suddenly it was a physical shock, Seven stopped. "My duty shift begins in two minutes," she said, a note of regret in her voice.

Sally stole one more quick kiss. "You're coming back for dinner, right?"

She was rewarded out of all proportion with a full, glowing smile. "Indeed. I will return at 1800 hours."

"Till then," Sally said, as Seven rose and stood over her.

"Until then," Seven acknowledged, then turned on her heel and left.

Sally let her head fall back to the cushions. "Good god," she muttered, still breathing hard. "If that's breakfast, can I survive another dinner?"

Janeway couldn't sit still.

This was painfully obvious. Chakotay had stopped looking in her direction; the incessant shifting of position, the way she tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair, in between getting up to prowl around the bridge looking over everyone's shoulder - all of it had grown far, far too irritating to be endured.

"I'll be in my ready room," she announced suddenly, from where she had been peering at Harry Kim's board. "Chakotay, you have the bridge."

There was an audible sigh of relief as the doors closed behind her. Chakotay really couldn't fault anyone for it, though he noticed Tuvok looked a touch disapproving. "Permission to leave the bridge, Commander," he said.

"Go ahead," Chakotay answered, guessing he knew exactly what the Security chief had in mind. Sure enough, Tuvok made a beeline for the captain's door as soon as he had signed off at his station.

If he didn't get anywhere, Chakotay would try next.

There was no answer to his first chime. Tuvok did not hesitate to press it again. "Come," came the captain's voice. She sounded grumpy, and Tuvok took a moment to gather himself before he stepped inside. This wasn't going to be the most enjoyable conversation he'd ever had with his captain.

"What is it, Tuvok?" she asked, as he entered. She was sitting on the couch by her ready room's windows.

"I had intended to ask you that very same question," he answered. "You are highly unsettled today."

Janeway scowled. "Is it that obvious?"

Tuvok just looked at her, allowing himself a slightly raised eyebrow. Janeway sighed. "I'm scheduled to play Velocity with Seven tonight."

"A not unusual occurrence."

"I don't normally play Velocity with Seven when she's starting to get involved with civilians from four hundred years in the past of a parallel universe."

"Ah." Tuvok thought. "Do you know for certain that they have become involved?"

"Not for certain. But it seems likely, somehow." Janeway sighed again, deeply, and slumped against the backrest of the couch. "I just don't know what to do. I love her, Tuvok, and it seems like I've lost her just when I thought perhaps..." She trailed off, and Tuvok considered what to say. Human emotional traumas were hardly his specialty, even if he did know Janeway well.

"It seems unlikely that Seven's attachment to Dr Kingston's company is based on an exclusive preference for her personally, to the exclusion of her existing friends. Seven has, in the time she has been aboard Voyager, maintained few close relationships. Yours she has particularly valued. However, your duties occupy a great deal of your time, whereas Dr Kingston is at liberty to spend hers with Seven. Perhaps your first approach should be to indicate to Seven that her friendship" - he placed a slight stress on the word - "is important to you."

Janeway was silent for a long moment. "That's good advice, old friend."

"Do I offer advice that is otherwise?" he asked rhetorically.

"Of course not." He was pleased to see her smile. "Thank you, Tuvok."

"You are welcome." He left her to her thoughts.

Commander Chakotay caught his eye as he walked back towards his bridge station. Tuvok gave him the barest of nods to indicate that all was, if not well, proceeding within the bounds of reason.

The holodeck doors slid open to reveal Seven of Nine, clad in her sleeveless Velocity outfit. Janeway consciously allowed the pleasure she felt at the sight to show in her face. "Seven," she greeted her. "I'm very glad you could make it. We haven't spent much time together lately."

The younger woman looked slightly startled. "True." She hesitated. "Shall we begin?"

"In a moment. I want to tell to you about something first." Janeway paused awkwardly. "I care a great deal about you, Seven. You're... very special to me."

"You are special to me, too, captain," Seven answered, seeming a little mystified by the unexpected heart-to-heart. "I respect you greatly, and I enjoy your company."

Janeway cleared her throat, unable to bring herself to ask the question hovering at the back of her throat. "Let's play, shall we?"

"Impact, Janeway. Final round, Janeway. Janeway wins, seven games to three."

Janeway scooped up her hand-towel and wiped sweat from her face. "Is something on your mind, Seven? You seem a little distracted."

Seven hesitated. "I am having difficulty concentrating, captain," she allowed. "I have been preoccupied of late with personal matters."

"Would you like to talk about it?" Janeway asked.

"I would." Seven hesitated again. "With you. However, captain, tonight I have a prior engagement."

"Oh." Janeway almost hid her disappointment, but reminded herself in time of her resolve to be less distant with Seven. "Another time, perhaps? How about tomorrow?"

"I would like that. Perhaps tomorrow evening?"

Janeway smiled. "It's a date," she said, then froze. "That is... Yes. Definitely."

She was startled by a warm, heartstoppingly beautiful smile from Seven. "Until then, captain."

Sally almost didn't hear the door chime over the sound of her guitar when Seven arrived at her quarters. "Come in," she called, setting the instrument aside. She grinned as she saw it was Seven. "Hey. How did it go?"

"The captain defeated me seven to three."

"Ouch. Not your night, huh?" Sally touched buttons on the replicator's control panel and handed Seven a glass of the fruit juice blend she liked. "You have to teach me how to play that game some time."

Seven's lips twitched. "You have not yet qualified in civilian phaser proficiency," she observed. "It seems doubtful that you would find Velocity a rewarding pastime."

"Yeah, yeah." Sally chuckled as they sat together on her couch. "You hungry?"

"Mildly."

"Okay. I'll get dinner in a minute. What did the captain have to say?" Sally sipped at her own drink.

"She seemed particularly concerned that she make it clear to me that I am 'special' to her," Seven began. "I believe she is concerned that I may feel neglected by her." She considered for a moment. "Also, we are having dinner tomorrow evening. To discuss personal matters."

Sally smiled. "Very interesting. Have you considered how you want that to go?"

Seven seemed startled by the question, and had to think about it. "I want to be... close to the captain. I would like to be able to talk with her the way I talk with you."

"Mm-hmm. Go on."

Seven turned her glass in her fingers, considering. "I enjoy the way we can discuss any subject. I would like that with the captain. But my feelings are very different."

"In what way?" Sally rose. "Keep talking, I'll get dinner."

Seven watched her as she went to the replicator and programmed their meal. "I enjoy your company, and I enjoy our conversations. I like looking at you." Her eyes ran along the length of Sally's body, clad in her customary jeans and a white shirt. "When we are together, I frequently desire to touch you or kiss you." She saw Sally shoot her a glance over her shoulder, but couldn't interpret her friend's expression beyond noticing she seemed amused. "But it feels different with the captain. I sometimes want to touch her, too. However, it is... different."

Sally returned to the couch and gave Seven a bowl of teriyaki chicken. She had taught Seven to use chopsticks weeks before, and Seven had found she quite liked the previously unfamiliar utensils. "I'm sure it is. Is it that your emotions towards her are..." Sally groped for words. "Deeper? More passionate than affectionate?"

"Yes," Seven answered, between bites of chicken. "How did you know?"

Sally waved a hand dismissively. "I know you, Seven," was all she said. "Would you like me to tell you my understanding of this situation?"

"Please."

"Okay." Sally paused, apparently to arrange her thoughts. "Since I've come aboard, you and I have become good friends. I don't think you've been used to spending this degree of quality time with another person, particularly one who understands you well enough for you to have the opportunity to explore yourself rather than be guided into fitting what the other person is trying to teach you to be. I'm not attacking your other friends, it's just that they've been so preoccupied with trying to teach you to live in a society of individuals they haven't quite learnt to accept your individuality. Whereas I was new, so I've been able to take you as I've found you from the moment we met." She held up a hand. "Case in point. Why do you still live in the cargo bay?"

Seven blinked. "My regeneration alcove is there."

"So?" Sally looked a little irritated, now. "Seven, you should have quarters of your own. A place to live, not just a place to regenerate. But we'll come back to that." She paused for another bite of her dinner. "Part of what's been going on with you lately is that you're starting to discover your sexuality. Not going on dates - only a hologram would have come up with the idea that starting dating whoever seemed to match your interests could possibly have been a good way to start exploring romance and sexuality. Really. But what you've been finding is that you're attracted to me, right?"

"Correct."

"Right. And because I too find you attractive, and because our friendship is such that we can play around with that, we've been starting to play a little around the edges of your sexuality. We've been getting a little deeper into it, too, I'm sure you've noticed - and I'm equally sure that this is probably a good thing, Seven. You should never be truly serious about your first lover, I think. Screws you up something terrible - you end up with a slightly warped approach to relationships. Just my opinion, of course. A lot of people would say I'm wrong, and you shouldn't do anything unless you're in love with the person you're doing it with."

"Continue," Seven said, scooping up some of her rice. She was finding this an interesting interpretation of all that had been going on.

"Okay... So. Anything that happens between you and Janeway is laden with emotional resonance, because you share a very strong bond. It's coupled with awkwardness on her part, and, I think, ignorance on yours. No slur on you, Seven, you just aren't experienced with this stuff. Which is part of what you've been getting from me lately - experience, the chance to play around with all this without risking yourself or Janeway. Or me, for that matter. While I love you dearly as a friend, you're not going to break my heart when this stops happening. It's safe."

"I see." Seven was briefly silent. "What about the captain?"

"My guess is that your relationship with the captain might well change, but it's going to happen slowly. And you'll reach the point where you don't need the sexual playground you have with me, and you'll stop desiring me. Which will be okay, and we'll go back to being just good friends." Sally smiled warmly at her. "I do care about you, Seven, and you have to be aware that you never need do anything you're not comfortable with."

"I see." Seven had finished her meal, and set the bowl aside on the coffee table. Sally placed hers next to it.

"And now, my friend, we're going to do some exploration of the magical world of physical sensation." She gave Seven a positively wicked grin as she jumped up. "Brace yourself, hon," she added, as she went back to the replicator. "I spent my entire afternoon dreaming about this. Even programmed it in advance. I've been looking forward to seeing how you like it."

Seven heard the replicator hum, and then Sally turned back. Her eyes widened at the... thing... in Sally's hands.

"What is it?" she asked, staring, as Sally returned to the couch.

"Well, it started out as a chocolate sundae. Then it became a knickerbocker glory. Then it ended up as Death by Insulin, I think."

The... dish... was multilayered. That was the first word Seven could think of to describe it. Chocolate ice cream, cream, layers of chocolate, of fudge, of nuts, cherries, wafers... There were things in the bowl that Seven didn't even recognise, and more was uncovered as Sally carefully, and quite artfully, gathered on the spoon a well-balanced combination of ingredients, which she raised with a solemn expression. "Ready?" she asked.

"I think so," Seven answered, unable to tear her eyes from the spoon.

"Last chance to back out."

"I am prepared." Seven met Sally's gaze as she opened her mouth, and closed her lips around the spoon. She blinked. "That is... delicious," she said, once she had swallowed.

Sally handed her the spoon with a reverential air. "Then it's time for your first chocolate binge, Seven. Dive in."

Seven looked into the bowl, which was still half-full. "I think if I consume more of this, I will begin to feel ill," she observed.

"Mm. Me too," Sally answered, setting it aside. "My friend Natalie's claims aside, I don't happen to think that 'if you can look in the bowl without feeling sick, you haven't had enough chocolate' is really applicable." She gazed at Seven. "You liked it, though?"

"Very much." Seven favoured her with a smile.

Sally let out a soft half-giggle and reached out, arm resting along the back of the couch. She touched Seven's hair lightly, running her fingers through it to release it from its restraining twist. "You should wear your hair down more often. It's gorgeous."

"Thank you." Seven moved her head slightly, leaning into the caress. "I like the way it feels when you touch me like this."

Sally smiled, enchanted. "Mmm. You haven't had a lot of physical contact in your life, have you, Seven?"

"Almost none," Seven admitted. Sally's fingertips stroked lightly across the back of her neck.

"Touch can be a very healing thing, as well as something sexual." She paused. "Would you like me to hold you?"

Seven considered, taking stock of her emotional state and her body's response to the gentle contact. "I think I would like that."

"C'mere." Hesitantly, Seven obeyed Sally's unspoken urgings as her friend guided her almost into her lap, wrapping first her arms, then her whole body around her. Seven relaxed into the embrace, feeling a delicate, contented pleasure fill her, quite unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

A single tear tracked silently down her cheek from her still-human eye. Sally brushed it away with her thumb. "Hey," she said softly. "You okay? Tell me how you feel."

Seven was silent, trying to find the words she needed, painfully aware of the gaps in her emotional vocabulary. "I am happy. In a way I have never before experienced. But I... I ache. Inside. I do not want to lose this feeling."

"It's okay. You don't have to." Sally kissed her hair. "You can stay here as long as you need to, Seven."

Seven deliberately chose not to pay attention to the passing of time as she absorbed the sensation of contact, letting the feeling it evoked settle inside her, bringing a joy she hadn't known it was possible to feel. Finally she opened her eyes and smiled radiantly at Sally, feeling her friend's breath catch in her chest as she did so.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No," Sally answered, softly serious. "Thank you, Seven." Her lips brushed Seven's in a light, chaste kiss, and her arms tightened briefly around her.

Seven rested her head against Sally's chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of her heart a moment longer. The deep, shivery joy she felt, however, was too much, and she tilted her head up to catch Sally's lips again in a kiss she hoped could somehow convey all she was feeling.

"Oh, Seven," Sally said breathlessly. "What was that for?"

Seven thought for a moment. "Because I wanted to do it."

"Ah." A slow smile spread across Sally's face. "Well, any time you want something like that, you just go right ahead."

"Very well." Seven kissed her again, this time taking her time to do so thoroughly. Gradually she felt Sally shift, both softening in line and pressing against her. She could feel Sally's heart rate increase through the tips of her fingers, resting lightly against Sally's chest, and felt a slight tremor in Sally's body as she moved that hand to rest at Sally's waist.

She kissed Sally's neck as she slipped her hand under Sally's shirt to touch her skin, enjoying the feel of it, the exploration of the sensations she could feel and could cause as she lightly mapped the contours of her ribs. She could sense Sally's reactions to every touch, and was fascinated by the changes in her breathing, the way she arched slightly in response as Seven's fingertips brushed the swell of her breast.

That intrigued her, and she shifted her weight so she could bring her left hand into play, cupping both breasts in her hands experimentally. Sally's eyes shot open. "Oh, my - no, please, don't stop," she exclaimed, as Seven hesitated. Sally caught her lips in a brief, intense kiss. "I'll explain later."

Seven smiled, and began experimenting with this new, startlingly intense field of sensation. Somehow, knowledge of anatomy and the physical responses of arousal didn't seem to have prepared her for the delight she felt as warm flesh contracted and hardened against her palms. She stroked across Sally's nipples with her thumbs, unprepared for Sally's sudden arch against her and her small cry of pleasure.

Sally groaned softly as Seven stopped, even briefly, but assisted eagerly as Seven tugged at her shirt. In moments it was tossed aside and Seven granted unrestricted access to touch. She lowered her head and inhaled deeply, imprinting the dustily sweet smell of her on her memory before tasting the soft skin, pressing her lips to one breast. Sally cried out again as Seven delicately stroked the nipple with her tongue.

She nuzzled her way slightly lower, enjoying the way Sally's abdominal muscles flexed and contracted in response to her every touch. She dipped her tongue in the indentation at her navel and smiled against Sally's skin as she heard her moan. "Gods, Seven, do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" Sally muttered.

Seven looked up at her. "Do you want me to proceed?" she asked carefully, absently touching the waistband of Sally's jeans. Sally looked at her, eyes wide and dark with arousal.

"Only if you're sure you want to, Seven."

"I am sure."

"Then very, very definitely yes."

Seven smiled and unbuttoned Sally's jeans, helping her slip them off and removing her soaked underwear.

"Hold on," Sally said. "Just..." She placed her hands on Seven's waist, stroking the fabric of her bodysuit with her thumbs. "Take this off. Please?"

Seven nodded, and in moments had skinned free of the tight fabric. She was slightly afraid of the reaction Sally might have to seeing her, to the painfully obvious implants that Sally had previously never seen, but she only smiled and pulled Seven back down to her for a deep and passionate kiss.

Seven felt Sally's hands move, stroking across her shoulders, but did not yet want to be distracted. She ran her hand down from Sally's shoulder, trailing across her stomach to cup her gently, feeling Sally's hips move into her hand almost, it seemed, of their own accord. Infinitely carefully, she curled one finger inwards to stroke through the slick heat she found. Sally's arms tightened around her, holding onto her almost desperately as Seven experimented with different ways of touching, finding the different movements and sounds she could draw from the gasping Sally.

Finally her fingers slid inside her, stroking firmly at the smooth inner walls she found. She picked up how she could read the rhythms in which Sally moved against her, and followed them, intensifying the touch as she realised Sally's growing desperation. Her orgasm, when it came, was unmistakeable. Seven intensified her movements, and felt the convulsions continue until Sally gasped out, "No more." She was breathing very hard.

"Oh, Seven," she managed to get out. "You..." Words seeming to fail her, she pulled Seven towards her for a deep, powerful kiss. Her entire body trembled as Seven gently withdrew her fingers.

The kisses continued as Sally's body gradually settled, though Seven was suddenly aware of the unfamiliar, yet pleasurable, sense of wanting that filled her own body. "Seven," Sally murmured, her lips moving against Seven's own. "Would you like me to..."

"Yes," Seven answered fervently. Sally smiled.

"Bedroom?"

"As you wish." She rose, and took Sally's hand, holding it as Sally stood and led her to the bed. She felt suddenly uncertain, and it must have showed on her face, because Sally smiled reassuringly and kissed her playfully on the nose.

"Relax. It's okay. You can tell me to stop at any time, if you change your mind." She gently pushed Seven back to sit her on the bed, then straddled her lap, kissing her tenderly. "Okay?"

Seven smiled. "Okay." She found her hands roaming across Sally's back, loving the feel of her body. Sally was nuzzling at her ear, tracing its curves with the tip of her tongue.

"Just relax," she whispered, pressing Seven gently back into the sheets.

It was several hours later. The two of them lay tangled together in sheets and each other, blissfully tired and entirely satisfied. "You were going to explain why you reacted oddly earlier," Seven reminded Sally.

"Mmm," Sally answered sleepily. "Yeah, I was." She took a deep breath and stretched languorously. "It's your hand, Seven. Your left one."

Seven felt a small chill steal over her. "It bothers you?"

Sally blinked, startled, then realised what Seven was thinking. "Oh, no, Seven, not at all. Don't even think it. Don't ever think you should feel negatively about your body. No, quite the reverse." She gave Seven a warm smile and took her Borg hand in her own. Her thumb traced lightly across the silver band on Seven's palm. The sensation sent a shiver skittering down Seven's spine. "The texture contrast provides for a very... intense effect." She kissed Seven's metal-banded knuckles. "How does this hand feel to you, compared to your other one?"

Seven thought about this. "It is different. The bio-metallic composite is sensitive in many ways my skin is not." Her breath caught as Sally traced the juncture of skin and implant at her wrist. "The sensation is... curious."

"How so?"

"Contrast. Like two different touches that are also the same."

"Mm." Sally squeezed her hand gently. "Let me show you something." She placed Seven's hand on Seven's own chest, above her heart. "Close your eyes, Seven. Let yourself feel your own touch."

Seven obeyed. It was odd, feeling at the same time the soft, smooth skin beneath her fingertips, and the warmth she felt radiating from her own palm. When she opened her eyes she saw Sally propped up on one elbow, watching her with a gentle, enigmatic smile. "Like it?" she asked.

"Yes," Seven told her, then surprised herself by yawning. Sally chuckled.

"We should get some sleep. You've got a lifetime to explore the magic of touch, you know." Sally leaned down, kissed her lightly, and settled herself comfortably on her pillow. "Is sleeping okay for you? I mean, you're welcome to stay here for as long as you like, but if you need to regenerate you should probably go. We've got a staff meeting to go to in the morning."

"I will stay," Seven said. "I have not slept before. I am intrigued to try the experience."

"Okay." Sally smiled. "Sweet dreams, Seven."

Seven settled herself against her pillow. The bed was comfortable, and though she had never before slept unless medicated in sickbay, she felt tired enough to try. She could feel the warmth of Sally's body, though they weren't quite touching, and hear her friend's breathing. With every breath she inhaled the familiar scent of Sally, and the new, animal smell of sex.

Tonight had been... interesting. Attuned as she was to her cerebral existence, the barrage on her every physical sense had been a rather novel experience, beginning as it had with the taste sensation of the chocolate sundae. Seven had tried food, but Neelix's cooking had failed to leave her that enamoured of it, and she usually lived on the bland nutritional supplements she had programmed. Chocolate, however, was truly something else, the taste equivalent of the many other ways in which her senses had been stimulated tonight.

It was almost overwhelming.

Beside her, she heard Sally's respiration alter, slowing and deepening into sleep. Not long afterwards Seven felt a light touch as Sally's fingers curled loosely around her arm. Seven wasn't sure what this meant, but wasn't sure she had the energy to contemplate it. A strange heaviness had descended on her. She didn't want to move.

So she didn't.

End Part Two